A little Jack Russell called Jess was found taped up in a bin bag and dumped in a rucksack today.

The grim discovery was made by a member of the public who was out for a walk by the canal in Bank Road, Bootle , and contacted the RSPCA.

The 17-year-old dog had grey electrical tape tied around her body and now the animal charity is trying to trace her owners.

Her body was in a bin bag which was placed inside a black and orange Timberland rucksack.

She was microchipped and details showed her name and age, however the contact details for her owner were out of date.

RSPCA inspector Helen Smith, who is investigating, said: “A member of the public found Jess’s body and immediately contacted us. Grey electrical tape was around her body and she was placed in a bin bag, which was put inside a rucksack.

“A vet has examined her body and believes she has been dead for some time. Due to decomposition, it is difficult to give a cause of death.

“We have made enquiries with the contact details on the microchip but we have not had any luck, however we do believe she was from the local area so it might be that local people will know who she belonged to.